It’s to hard to make predictions this early in the season, so let’s look at the best and worst case scenarios and rank each team in the NFC North.
1) Minnesota Vikings
Best Case Scenarios
- Quarterback Tarvaris Jackson plays at a productive level and limits his mistakes, allowing the offense to run smoothly.
- Second year running back Adrian Peterson can avoid any serious injury and approach the 2,000 yard mark he set for himself for 2008.
- Jackson and free-agent acquisition wide receiver Bernard Berrian hook-up often for big plays and touchdowns.
- The defense dominates the run again (number one in ‘07), and the secondary can actually defend the pass (ranked dead last in ‘07).
- Defensive end Jared Allen can bring his 2007 league leading fifteen and a half sacks to the NFC.
Worst Case Scenarios
- Jackson proves to be a bust and oldie Gus Frerotte or rookie John David Booty has to step in as starter.
- The defense still can’t stop the pass.
- Adrian Peterson gets injured, placing more pressure on the quarterback position.
- Second year receiver Sidney Rice fails to produce allowing defenses to double team Berrian; thus further taking away from a suspect passing attack.
Vikings 2008 Prediction
The Vikings could be the one NFL team that really doesn’t need a quarterback to perform at a high level. The ground game and the defense alone could net them nine to ten wins. Look for Minnesota to win the NFC North division in 2008.
2) Green Bay Packers
Best Case Scenarios
- Quarterback Aaron Rogers can stay injury-free and produce well enough to silence the Favre chants in Green Bay.
- Running back Ryan Grant can prove 2007 wasn’t a fluke (956 yards 8 touchdowns).
- The receiving corps don’t miss a beat with their new quarterback and once again leads the league as a unit in yards after catch.
- Receiver Greg Jennings has more catches in 2008 (53) and touchdowns (12) than in 2007.
Worst Case Scenarios
- Rogers can’t stay healthy and rookie Brian Brohm is forced to start.
- Running game sputters and plays poorly like first half of 2007, before Grant exploded to lead all backs in yardage in final eight weeks of ‘07.
- The defense can’t duplicate same dominance of 2007 when they ranked eleventh in total defense.
- Ted Thompson takes over coaching duties.
Packers 2008 Prediction
Unlike the Vikings, the Pack really need for Rogers to perform well. Not only does their season hinge on his shoulders, so does GM Ted Thompson’s job. If Rogers and Grant can produce look for the Pack to challenge Minnesota for the division. If not, sorry Packer fans, you’re in for a long season.
3) Detroit Lions
Best Case Scenarios
- Jon Kitna finally delivers on his ten win prediction.
- Rookie running back Kevin Smith can make Lions fans remember what it's like to actually have a running back.
- Receiver Calvin Johnson has a break-out sophomore season and dominates opposing defenses with his size (6’5”) and speed.
- Their no-name defense can do better than their 32nd rank of 2007.
Worst Case Scenarios
- The defense still stinks.
- Kitna doesn’t have the time to find his open receivers due to suspect offensive line.
- Kevin Smith can’t find any holes to run through and struggles in his first season.
- Matt Millen takes over as coach.
Lions 2008 Prediction
The Lions fell three wins shy of Kitna’s ten win prediction; look for much of the same in ‘08. If the ground game can perform much better than previous seasons, they might just challenge for eight wins. Either way, no playoff hopes. Also, Kitna may not be welcome back in 2009, nor may Matt Millen.
4) Chicago Bears
Best Case Scenarios
- Quarterback Kyle Orton can hold off Rex Grossman and play mistake free.
- Rookie running back Matt Forte in the second coming of Walter Payton.
- Receiver/return man Devin Hester can run receiving routes like he can punt returns.
- They can find someone else to throw to; taking pressure off Hester.
- The defense regains it’s previous years dominance.
Worst Case Scenarios
- The quarterback play stinks yet again.
- Forte can’t perform at the NFL level due to defenses stacking the line since passing game lacks production.
- Hester gets injured, thus making it very difficult to score many points.
- The defense stinks it up again (28th overall in ‘07)
Bears 2008 Prediction
No matter how you look at it, the Bears are not a playoff team. This year is the start of a rebuilding process. The quarterback job in 2008 is more a audition for the future. Don’t expect Da’ Bears toimprove upon or even reach the seven wins of 2007. Expect four, maybe five wins in ‘08.
